JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville City Council voted down a resolution Tuesday night that would have urged the city to keep any future jail out of historically redlined neighborhoods — after emotional public comment and a debate among council members.
The resolution, introduced by Councilmember Jimmy Peluso, was framed as a way to set “guardrails” as Jacksonville begins the early process of considering a replacement or relocation of the Duval County Jail in downtown Jacksonville.
What the resolution proposed
The resolution would have put City Council on record recommending that any future pre-trial detention facility or corrections center not be located in areas labeled “hazardous,” or Grade D, on 1937–1940 Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) residential security maps — a system widely linked to redlining and discriminatory housing practices.
The legislation also encouraged environmental justice, equitable development and community engagement in any site-selection process.
In its background section, the resolution referenced neighborhoods including LaVilla, Durkeeville, Mixon Town, Sugar Hill, Eastside, Long Branch and Moncrief.
Public comment: ‘We are trying to be proactive’
Dozens of people signed up to speak during public comment, urging council members to draw a clear line before potential jail sites are publicly discussed.
“We are trying to be proactive,” Rev. R. L. Gundy said.
Isaiah Rumlin, president of the Jacksonville NAACP, told the council, “We all know what gerrymandering and redlining has done to this area in the past.”
Other speakers questioned whether any district would be willing to host a new jail.
“Give it to somebody else,” one public commenter said.
Council debate: ‘Guardrails’ vs. ‘premature’
Peluso argued the resolution was meant to set expectations early — before a list of possible locations comes back to council.
“To me, it’s to provide guardrails,” Peluso said during the meeting. Later, he added, “We need to put a line in the sand now.”
But several council members pushed back, arguing it was premature to draw boundaries before the city completes its initial planning work and identifies options.
“It’s premature because it precedes the report,” Councilmember Tyrona Clark-Murray said.
Councilmember Ken Amaro also criticized the measure, saying, “This legislation does nothing to protect these communities.”
The vote
The resolution failed on a 5-12 vote.
What happens next
The vote comes as Jacksonville moves forward with a consulting process expected to identify three potential sites for a future jail — results city leaders have said they hope to have by January.